MAKING LOCAL FRIENDS----AVOIDING IN-GROUP STAGNATION

SO EASY FOR GROUPS TO TURN INWARD---PREACH TO THE CHOIR---BECOME STALE---WE ARE DETERMINED TO AVOID THIS TRAP.

Meet Mary---A professional counselor who'se work takes her region wide---into homes in far flung places---serving people in various states of  need.  She became a treasured friend---helping us navigate cross-cultural  situations:  Accompaning us to an Indian Revival---leading us in a drumming circle--inviting us to her home.  Here she plays the flute in her backyard. (And what a backyard view she has)

Indian families live all along that ridge back there) 

On Mark's birthday she brought gifts for all of us---here presenting me with a native art hiking stick.

Giving lovely jewelry to Laurie, Ginger (and Mark)

On another day, the ladies move through the campground ----rounding up "Kindred Spirits" for an impromptu get together.

Reaching out to our animal friends, Mark and I try to make friends with these wild horses.  The Stallion positioned himself to defend his harem.  We learned that anyone desiring a horse---is welcome to catch one of these and call it his own.  Few bother---because upkeep on a horse is considerable.

Laurie is our boldest "outreacher" ---writing a song for the locals---then performing a concert for them.

Often, I get to hear her creations first.

See her rig--hear her sing--here: http://youtu.be/aKO7lOt9e6Q

One day we hiked the canyon--all the way to the dam.  See the gushing water--it services downstream farmers in Bluewater village----onetime CARROT CAPITOL of the US-----till Uranium was discovered herebouts.

I engaged this guy in Grants, NM---hoping for a story.  Sure enough he lives in his car since he lost his electricans job.

Showed me how he stretches out catycornered to sleep. (His accomodations would be much roomier if he would stash that seat somewhere)  --He said yes---he'd thought of that.   Was a bit dispirited---I got my maps out and showed him places to camp--escaping summer heat--and winter's chill.  He seemed appreciative---taking notes.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  I'M CONVINCED THE GOOD LIFE INVOLVES "KNOTTING UP" AS WELL AS SPREADING OUT.  Our group has now moved on from Bluewater--to Albuquerque--to Santa Fe and are now "knotted up" at Lake Heron, NM.  Will update on those two places in my next blog entry.